“We started this action because we didn’t really know what to do. When somebody is sentenced to death in Iran, and they tell them they will be executed in a month, the person who is to be executed has to sew up their lips. This is the only way they are able to resist the bad situation they find themselves in. This is the last solution. Sometimes they even also sew their eyes.

One other friend, who is also here in the Jungle, in France did this in Iran. He told us ‘don’t be afraid. It’s not a big deal. I have already done it before.’ He had a death sentence, so he sewed his lips for 15 days, drinking only water. Then they gave him life and not execution.

Here in France we feel we are in the same situation. But in prison one life is going to be finished. Here in the Calais Jungle, if nothing changes, many lives will be finished. Here too, we take this action in the hope that we will be granted a life, and that all refugees here are granted a life and no one else has to take this action.”

The hungerstrikers are taking this action in order that people listen when they ask that the situation faced by refugees in Calais, and indeed across Europe, is addressed by those with the power and responsibility to do so. But, the people with power already know the situation refugees face and do not care that the border kills. So, the hunger striker’s action is a call to every person to act with whatever power they have, to take responsibility to try to change the situation for refugees by any means necessary.

They do not do it for their individual hopes for successful asylum, in a country they wish to live in, but for all.

To those concerned about the physical wellbeing of the hunger strikers

“Why did we have to sew our lips before you started to pay attention? If we stop now, will you ignore the situation again? Please, we are asking for your support to change the situation here. We do not sew our lips because we want you to look after us.”